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THE POEM OF PARMENIDES

A NEW TRANSLATION WITH TEXT AND COMMENTARY

By E. H. Campbell

INOPIBUS PRESS: BOZEMAN, MT

FIRST EDITION

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Copyright 2011
E. H. Campbell

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Ad bona dea Empanda

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ABBREVIATIONS

Inf. = infinitive mood

Impers. = impersonal

1st = first person

Inst. = Instrumental Case

2nd = second person

Ion. = Ionic

3rd = third person

Lat. = Latin

privat. = alpha privative

Lit. = literally

Abl. =ablative case

Loc. = locative

Acc. = accusative case

Masc. = masculine gender

Act. = active voice

Med. = medial or middle voice

Adj. = adjective

Metaph. = metaphorically

Adv. = adverb

Mid. = middle voice

Aor. = aorist tense

Mid./Pass. = middle/passive voice

Cf. = confere, compare

Neut. = neuter gender

Collat. = collateral

Nom. = nominative case

Comp. = comparative

Opt. = optative mood

Dat. = dative case

Orig. = originally

Dor. = Doric

Part. = participle

Enclit. = enclitic

Partic. = particle

Ep. = Epic

Pass. = passive voice

Fem. = feminine gender

Perf. = perfective tense

Fut. = future tense

Pl. = plural

Gen. = genitive case

Pluperf. = pluperfective tense

Gk. = Greek

pot. = potic

I.e. = id est, that is

Pres. = present tense

Impf. = imperfective tense

Sing. = singular

Ind. = indicative mood

Superl. = superlative

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABBREVIATIONS .......................................................................................................................................................... 4
Preface ............................................................................................................................................................................. 6
I. ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
II. .................................................................................................................................................................................... 15
III. ................................................................................................................................................................................... 17
IV. ................................................................................................................................................................................... 17
V. .................................................................................................................................................................................... 18
VI. ................................................................................................................................................................................... 19
VII................................................................................................................................................................................... 20
VIII. ................................................................................................................................................................................ 22
IX. ................................................................................................................................................................................... 37
X. .................................................................................................................................................................................... 38
XI. ................................................................................................................................................................................... 40
XII. .................................................................................................................................................................................. 41
XIII. ................................................................................................................................................................................ 42
XIV. ................................................................................................................................................................................ 42
XV................................................................................................................................................................................... 43
XVa................................................................................................................................................................................. 43
XVI. ................................................................................................................................................................................ 43
XVII. ............................................................................................................................................................................... 44
XVIII. .............................................................................................................................................................................. 45
XIX. ................................................................................................................................................................................ 46
Operas Citatas .............................................................................................................................................................. 48
Manuscriptus ................................................................................................................................................................ 49

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PREFACE
For those who are concerned with such matters, in English, no good translation of the
Poem of Parmenides has been produced; the John Burnet (1892) translation being incomplete,
and, from what was done, is not even close to good enough for the contemporary student. I
have, therefore, produced one. I will not reiterate the biography of Parmenides, whereas it is
available elsewhere in many places, and will not interpret his philosophy, which has been done
poorly, with meager knowledge of it; since a good translation has, until now, been non-extant. I
have rendered only his poem, in translating it putting in enough of myself by translating. The
student should note, moreover, that, of his poem, what is extant comes to us in fragments; the
enumeration of those fragments in the table of contents to this work is a supposed logical order
handed over to us by the textual critics of the 19th century. We accept as correct their text as an
article of faith; if they did their work right, and we believe they have, then what we do have is the
best text we shall ever have. Keep in mind, however, each part of the poem is a fragment. We
cannot, therefore, know what went before or what came after each of them, leaving context to
conjecture. Like all things mortal, my translation and commentary are flawed; I must confess my
philological powers often failed me. To the best of my knowledge, nevertheless, is the best
English translation, ad hoc, you will find. In view of the foregoing, let it, then, be a spring-board
for a new study of this worthy author. For my part, I shall rely on my readers to supply the
necessary corrections when needed.

Edward H. Campbell
Bozeman, MT
June 23, 2011

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I.

[1] ,1 ' 2 ,3

,4 ' 5 6 7

,8 ' 9 10 11 12

Mares carry me along and sent me as far as my heart desires,

leading me on a fated path abounding in legends,13

which, going down through every town,

brought forth a man who knows. 14

3rd pl. pres. act. ind. of , bring forth, produce; bear, convey.

masc. nom. sing., heart, soul, life.

3rd sing. pres. act. opt. of , to come to, reach, attain to.

3rd pl. imperf. act. ind. of , send.

neut. nom. / acc. sing. of , to walk, step; to go, to come.

neut. nom. / acc. sing. of , abounding in songs and legends.

fem. nom. pl. pres. act. part. of , lead, carry, fetch, bring.

fem. gen. sing. of , god, goddess; the power controlling the destiny of individuals: hence, ones lot or fortune;
generally, spiritual or semi-divine being inferior to the Gods; genius.
8

neut. nom. pl. of , town.

10

3rd sing. pres. act. ind. of .

11

masc. acc. sing. perf. act. part. of , to see, or know.

12

masc. acc. sing. of , man; or neut. nom. / acc. pl. of , light.

13

also = songs.

14

could also mean a knowing light, but light knows not; men do.

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15 16

[5] , 17 ' .18

And brought to it I was by wise horses in a chariot;

and maidens lined-up led the way.

' 19 20 21

2223 24

25 26

, 27 ,

[10] , 28 29 30 .31

15

1st sing. imperf. mid. / pass. ind. of .

16

3rd pl. pres. act. ind. of .

17

fem. nom. pl. of , girl.

18

3rd pl. imperf. act. ind. of , lead the way.

19

fem. dat. pl. of , axel box.

20

3rd sing. imperf. act. ind of , throw, hurl; dismiss, send away.

21

fem. gen. sing. of , a shepherds pipe; a pipe; gen. abl.

22

masc. nom. sing. pres. mid./pass. part. of , light up, kindle, pass. = burn.

23

Adj. neut. dat. pl. of , two, both; loc. dat.

24

3rd sing. imperf. mid./pass. ind. of , press by weight.

25

Adv., from or on both sides.

26

pres. inf. act. of , send.

27

neut. acc. pl. of , house.

Page |9

And in their boxes from their axels pipes burning flames sent,

because both in circles whirling,

by weight were on both sides pressed;

when sun maidens, with their hands from their heads,

thrust back their veils, forsaking their homes for the night

32 33 ,34

35 36 37 38

39 ' 40 41 42 43

28

fem. nom. pl. aor. mid./pass. part. of , thrust, push.

29

neut. gen. pl. of , head; peak, top; gen. abl.

30

fem. dat. pl. of , hand, hand and arm, arm; dat. of instrument.

31

fem. acc. pl. of , veil.

32

Adv. there, thereupon, where.

33

fem. nom. pl. or fem. dat. sing. of , one wing of a pair of double gates.

34

fem. gen. pl. of , road, path; abl. gen.

35

fem. acc. pl. of , they, them.

36

neut. acc. sing. of , lintel of a door.

37

Adv. on both sides.

38

a threshold.

39

fem. nom. pl. these

40

fem. nom. pl. of , belonging to the upper air, Ether.

41

3rd pl. aor. mid. ind. of , to be filled, be full of; to be filled, satisfied, have enough of a thing.

42

Adj. neut. pl. of , big; vast, high; great, mighty.

P a g e | 10

44 45 .46

Where there are the gates of the paths of Night and Day

and on both sides they a lintel and a marble threshold have.

And these as a mighty doors Ether filled.

And Justice much-avenging, giving like for like, the keys holds.

[15] 47 48 49 .50

51 ,52 53 54 55

56 57 58 59

43

neut. dat. pl. of , door, dat. of manner.

44

+ = much-avenging.

45

fem. acc. pl. of ,

46

= giving like for like.

47

Then, now, thus.

48

, masc. nom. sing. pres. mid. part. of , speak gently to, advise; Med., persuade, appease.

49

Adj. masc. / neut. dat. pl. of , gentle, soft.

50

masc. dat. pl. of .

51

neut. acc. sing. aor. act. part. of , persuade.

52

Adv., circumspectly, wisely.

53

masc. / fem. dat. pl. of , they, them.

54

, bolt.

55

masc. acc. sing. of , anything used for holding or fastening.

56

Adv., quickly, swiftly.

57

3rd sing. aor. opt. ind. of , to thrust, push, force back, shove.

P a g e | 11

' 60 61 62 63

64 65 66 67

[20] 68 69 70 71 72 73

74 75 ' 76 77 .

And then, with gentle words, maidens wisely persuade.

58

fem. gen. pl. of , door, gate

59

neut. gen. pl. of , door.

60

neut. nom. sing. of , yawning; vast, immense.

61

3rd pl. aor. act. ind. of , make.

62

fem. nom. pl. aor. mid. part. of , fly up, fly away; hurry off; metaph. to be on the wing.

63

, brass.

64

masc. acc. pl. of , axle.

65

, pipe.

66

, given in return; giving like for like, retributive; interchanging, reciprocal; likewise.

67

, turn about, turn around; whirl.

68

masc. dat. pl. of , bolt.

69

fem. dat. pl. of , pin.

70

neut. nom. acc. dual perf. act. part. of , join, fit together.

71

partic. , then, so then, so, naturally, as it appears.

72

changed from in Deils text, thus = so the Goddess where is poet. for ; < is dative of instrument.

73

masc. gen. pl. of .

74

masc. nom. sing. of , straight, straightforward, or masc. nom. sing. of , straight course.

75

3rd pl. imperf. act. ind. of , hold, have.

76

Adj. neut. acc. sing. of , traversed by wagons; carriage-road, high-road, highway,

77

neut. acc. sing., chariot.

P a g e | 12

Then their fastening bolts quickly forced back

from the wings of the doors a yawning chasm

made brazen axels in pipes likewise whirl.

Just as by the Goddess bolts and pins were held straight in their course,

so too maidens chariot and the horses down the highway.

78 ,79 80 81

82 ,83 84 ' 85 86 87

And the cheerful Goddess welcomed me,

and right with right hand took,

and these immortal words spoke:

'88 89 90 ,91

78

fem. nom. sing. , cheerful.

79

3rd sing. aor. mid. ind. of , receive into ones house, welcome.

80

fem. acc. sing. of , hand.

81

fem. dat. sing. of , dative of instrument.

82

fem. acc. sing. of , right-hand of two.

83

3rd sing. aor. act. ind. of , take with the hand, grasp, seize.

84

Adv. of , in this wise; so, thus, so very, exceedingly.

85

neut. acc. sing. of , word, words, utterance.

86

3rd sing. aor. mid. ind. of .

87

3rd sing. imperf. act. ind. of , speak to, address.

P a g e | 13

[25] 92 93 ,94

',95 96 97 98

'99 ' 100 ,

. 101 102

103 104

[30] 105 , 106 .

88

, Ion. for , boy, lad.

89

neut. dat. pl. of , deathless, immortal.

90

fem. nom. sing., accompanying.

91

fem. , poet. for , charioteer.

92

masc. nom. sing. pres. act. part. of , come to, arrive at, reach.

93

Adj., neut. acc. sing., of , our, ours

94

neut. acc. sing. of , house.

95

, joy, delight.

96

Adv., in no wise.

97

aor. of , to send before, dismiss.

98

pres. mid. / pass. inf. of , go.

99

fem. dat. of = this here.

100

Adv., outside.

101

fem. nom. sing., want, need.

102

aor. mid. inf. of , learn.

103

and,correlates with infra.

104

, well-rounded.

105

masc. gen. pl. of , mortal.

P a g e | 14

107 ,108 109

110 111 .112

O lad, charioteers and horses accompanying,

you to our abode carrying,

delight not in the ill fate which sent you

on this here path,

for it is far from that tread by men;

but is both right and just.

But want for yourself to everything learn;

the well-rounded truth, and your heart unmoved by mortal opinions

in which it is not possible for there to be true faith.

these things too you will nevertheless learn;

how things are to be thought, to deliver an acceptable oracle

106

3rd sing. and pl. of = to be possible.

107

= notwithstanding, nevertheless.

108

2nd sing. fut. mid. ind. of , come to know, learn.

109

neut. acc. pl. pres. act. part., of , think, fancy.

110

pres. inf. act. of , deliver and oracle

111

Adv., of , acceptable.

112

neut. acc. pl., of , pass through, penetrate, traverse.

P a g e | 15

because of being passed in every way through everything.

II.

' '113 114 ,115 116 117 ,118

119 120 121 122 123 124

125 126 127 ,

128 ,129

[5] ' 130 ,

113

3rd sing. imperf. act. ind. of , lead, conduct, bring.

114

masc. nom. sing of , Ep., I; = come on, cf. Liddell and Scott.

115

1st sing. fut. act. ind., of I will say.

116

2nd sing. aor. mid. imper. of , wait upon, attend, care for.

117

masc. acc. sing. of , word, speech; that which is conveyed by word of mouth, tale, narrative, myth.

118

masc. nom. sing. aor. act. part. of , hear.

119

Dor. for

120

, belonging to a way.

121

fem. nom. pl , Ion., alone, solitary.

122

fem. gen. sing. of , inquiry.

123

3rd pl. pres. act. ind. of .

124

aor. act. inf. of , think.

125

anticipates infra where =

126

Conj. of manner.

, often serves to unite components, both similar and opposites. < is not used when one clause is
subordinate to another and cannot have the force of both<and. Cf. Smyths Greek Grammar: 2974 .
127

128

fem. gen. sing of , the Goddess of persuasion, or mere persuasion.

129

3rd sing. pres. act. ind. of , to follow, accompany, attend.

P a g e | 16

131 132 133 134 135 136

137 138 139 140 141

.142

Come you! I will tell. To a myth you heard you have attended.

as if indeed the paths for inquiry to think are one;

on the one hand the path of persuasion to truth in the manner is is

it follows not is is not to be

on the other hand not is, must not be.

Thus I show you the straight path to learn to be;

neut. nom. sing., that which must be, necessity, fate, that which is expedient or right; it being necessary, since it was
necessary.
130

131

Particle used to give greater exactness, to the word or words which it influences.

132

Dor., Ion., and Ep. for , dat. sing. of .

133

1st sing. pres. subj. / ind. act. of , point out, show.

134

, , to learn by asking; learn, ask, inquire.

135

pres. inf. act. of

136

fem. acc. sing. of , a path with no turnings, straight path.

137

conditional partic. in the protasis.

138

2nd sing. aor. act. opt. of , know by reflection, know by observation,. perceive, form a judgment, think.

139

enclt. partic. calling attention to the words it follows by limitations, cf. Liddel and Scott.

140

possessive adj. of the 3rd sing., its own.

141

neut. nom. sing. of , to be accomplished, practicable.

142

2nd sing. aor. act. opt. of , point out, show.

P a g e | 17

for neither could you by observation have known it,

nor it if I had not it pointed out,

for it is possible not.

III.

For it is the same to think it and it to be.

IV.

143 ' 144 145 146 147 148

149 150 151

152 153 154 155

143

2nd sing. pres. act. imper. of , to look or gaze upon; see, behold.

144

Conj., all the same, nevertheless, notwithstanding, still.

neut. acc. pl. of , to be away or far from, to be away or absent, and of things, to be wanting, + = to have
passed away.
145

146

masc. dat. sing. of , mind.

neut. acc. pl. of , to be by or present, to be by or near one, to be present so as to help, stand by, of things, to be
by, i.e. ready or at hand, + = to have come to be.
147

148

Adv., firm, steady, steadfast, sure, certain.

149

3rd sing. fut. act. ind. of , to cut off from, be divided .

150

neut. gen. sing. pres. act. part. of .

151

pres. mid./pass. inf. of .

152

neut. nom. sing. pres. mid./pass. part. of , to be spread or scattered, disperse.

P a g e | 18

.156

And in your mind clearly see things not being coming to be,

for, having being, it shall not itself be cut off from being;

being neither scattered in all directions in the Cosmos,

nor completely combined.

V.

157 ,

158 159 160 161 .162

And it is to me all the same whence I shall have begun,

for there I again shall return.

153

Adv. on all sides, in all directions.

154

Adv. by all means, wholly, completely, altogether.

155

masc. acc. sing. of , order, arrangement.

156

neut. nom. sing. pres. mid./pass. part. of , combine, associate, unite, put together, organize, frame, contrive.

157

= , common, public, general.

158

Adv., whence, from what place

159

1st sing. aor. mid. subj. of , to be first.

160

Adv., there, in that place.

1st sing. fut. mid. ind. of , reach, attain to, approach as suppliant, it becomes, befits, pertains to, that which is
fitting, proper.
161

162

Adv., back, back again.

P a g e | 19

VI.

' 163 ,

' ' 164 .165

It is necessary to speak it and to think the being to be;

for it is to be and nothing not is, this I bid thee ponder.

' ' 166 <>,167

168 '169 , 170 171

[5] ,172 173 174

175 176 177 178

163

pres. inf. act. of .

164

pres. mid./pass. inf. of , bid, order, ponder.

165

1st sing. perf. act. ind. of , command, order.

166

fem. gen. sing. of , inquiry.

167

1st sing. pres. act. subj. of = , shut in, confine, hinder.

168

but, nevertheless.

169

Adv. thereupon.

170

post. pos., in truth, to be sure. Cf. Symth 2840.

171

masc. nom. pl. perf. act. part of , see, know.

172

3rd pl. pres. mid./pass. ind. of , form, mould and , struck with terror.

173

, two-headed

174

fem. nom. sing., want of means.

175

neut. dat. pl. of , the breast as the seat of feeling and thought, seat of the will.

P a g e | 20

, ,179 ,

180 181

, .

To you I ought hinder from this first path, nevertheless,

then, from that which men have, in truth, seen nothing;

forming two heads, for their heart, 182 lacks means

to straighten their twisted mind.

But just as they are perpetually young, blind,

and dazzled like a disorderly tribeto whom it is customary

for a thing to come to be this and not to be this,

and everything is a winding road.

VII.

183 184

176

3rd sing. pres. act. ind. of , make straight.

177

, twisted.

178

3rd pl. pres. mid. / pass. ind. of , repeated, repeated or habitual action.

179

masc. nom. pl. perf. act. part. of , to be astonished, astounded, amazed.

180

pres. inf. act. of , come into existence, become, be

181

3rd sing. perf. mid / pass. ind. of , customary practice.

182

the seat of the will.

P a g e | 21

' ' 185 186 187

' 188 ,189

190 191 192

[5] , 193 194

195 .196

For never will this overcometo be is not being,

and from this path of inquiry shut-off your perception.

And let not custom urge, wandering eye,

sound heard, or word of mouth, direct you down this road;

183

Adv., never, on no account.

184

3rd sing. fut. act. ind. of , overpower, subdue, gain the mastery over.

185

fem. gen. sing. of , inquiry.

186

2nd sing. pres. imper. act., of , shut in, shut off.

187

neut. acc. sing. of , that which is perceived, perception, thought.

188

fem. acc. sing. of , much experienced.

189

3rd sing. pres. mid. pass. imper. of , constrain, drive on, urge on.

190

neut. acc. sing. pres. act. part. of , deal out, distribute, direct, guide.

191

masc. / fem. acc. sing, neut. nom. / acc. sing. of , aimless, heedless, inconsiderate.

192

3rd pl. aor. act. ind. of , to sound.

193

+ , much contested.

194

masc. acc. sing. of , argument of disproof, refutation.

195

fem. gen. sing. of .

196

masc. acc. sing. aor. pass. part. of ,

P a g e | 22

but with reason distinguish my much contested

refutation to be mentioned.

VIII.

' 197

198 ' '199

', 200 201 ,

202 203 ' 204

And myth alone still leads you by the right path

it being forsaken for it is; and for this there are very many signs,

as uncreated and unmoved being is, for it is perfect and unmoving,

already endless;

[5] ' ' ,205 206 ,

197

2nd sing. pres. mid. / pass. opt. of , lead by the right way.

198

3rd sing. pres. mid. / pass. ind. of , leave, quit.

199

neut. nom. / acc. pl. of , sign, mark, token.

200

neut. nom. of , uncreated, unoriginated.

201

neut. nom. of , indestructible.

202

= , perfect, complete, continuous; whole.

203

neut. nom. of , unmoved, calm.

204

neut. nom. sing. of , without end, endless.

P a g e | 23

,207 208 209 210 211

212 213

214 ' 215 216

And not ever was and not ever shall be,

since now everything is the same, one, holding together;

for what beginning shall you look for there?

How was it to have grown?

Not from not being I will not permit

you to say or even think;

205

3rd sing. fut. mid. ind. of .

206

Adj. neut. gen. sing. of , one and the same.

207

neut. one alone.

208

neut. nom. sing. of , holding together.

209

fem. acc. sing. of , descent, birth origin.

210

2nd sing. fut. mid. ind. of , seek out, look for.

211

Adv., there.

212

neut. nom. sing. aor. pass. part. of , increase, grow.

213

1st sing. fut. act. ind. of , forbid.

214

pres. mid. inf. of .

215

neut. nom. sing. of , spoken.

216

neut. nom. sing. of , thinkable.

P a g e | 24

for it is neither spoken nor thought

and as such is not.

' 217 218 219

[10] 220 ,221 222 ,223 224

225 226 .227

And what thing is itself, from nothing

and what need called it forth sooner rather than later,

from nothing, having been first, grew?

Thus, either became all at once of urgent desire,

or it is not at all.

' 228 229 230 231

217

Pron. neut. nom. sing., itself.

218

neut. nom., need, want.

219

3rd sing. aor. act. ind. of , urge on, incite, call forth.

220

Adj. nom. acc. sing. of , latter, last.

221

Adv. before, earlier, sooner.

222

, neut. gen. sing. of , nothing.

223

neut. nom. sing. aor. mid. part. of , to be first.

224

3rd pl. aor. act. ind. of , make to grow, produce; beget, engender.

225

Adv. wholly, altogether; all at once.

226

aor. act. inf. of , to become.

227

Adv. Att. form of , contrary to fact, as is the contrary of will and thought.

P a g e | 25

232 ' 233 234

' 235 236 237 ,238

[15] ' 239

But never from not being will it send forth

that which gives strength of truth

that which was born through itself;

neither allowed to give birth nor to destroy

because Justice releases bonds not of it but holds;

And the difference between these is in this:

240 ' , ,241

228

neut. gen. sing. pres. act. part. of .

229

3rd sing. fut. act. ind. of , send, let go, loosen.

230

fem. gen. sing. of , trust, faith, confidence; that which gives trust or confidence.

231

fem. acc. pl. of , strength, bodily strength; force, might.

232

pres. mid. inf. of .

233

Prep. Ion. and pot. , on account of, for the sake of, because of.

234

aor. mid. inf. of .

235

pres. mid./pass. inf. of , destroy, make an end of.

236

3rd sing. aor. act. ind. of , allow.

237

fem. nom. dual aor. act. part. of , slacken, loosen.

238

dat. pl., bonds, fetters.

239

fem. nom. sing. separating, distinguishing.

P a g e | 26

242 243 ,244

, ' 245 246 .

Is or is not; and being, according to necessity, at any rate, separated,

the one permitted being the nameless unheard of,

for it is not a true path, and the other being

to be and to be real.

' 247 248 249 ' 250

[20] ',251 , ' 252 .253

254 255 256 257 .258

240

3rd sing. perf. pass. ind. of , separate, put asunder, distinguish.

241

fem. nom. sing., necessity, constraint.

242

neut. acc. sing. pres. act. part. of , let, permit, let alone, let be.

243

neut. acc. sing. of , not thought on, unheard of.

244

neut. nom. acc. sing. of , nameless.

245

pres. inf. act. of , to be

246

neut. nom. sing. of , true, truthful, real.

247

Adv. thereupon, then, in that case.

248

3rd sing. pres. pass. opt. of , come into existence, become, be.

249

neut. acc. sing. pres. act. part. of .

250

3rd sing. aor. mid. opt. of , come into a new state of being.

251

3rd sing. aor. mid. ind. of .

252

3rd sing. pres. act. ind. of , be destined.

253

fut. mid. inf. of .

P a g e | 27

And how would a being thing be set in motion?

And how would it come to be?

For if it came to be itself, is not, and if not,

is destined to it shall be.

Genesis died thus, a death unheard.

259 , 260 261 262

263 ,264 265 266 267 ,268

,269 ' 270 .271

254

Adv. answering .

255

fem. nom. sing., generation, origin

256

, extinguish, quench, vanish, die.

257

masc. nom. sing., unheard of.

258

masc. nom. sing., destruction, ruin, death.

259

neut. nom. sing. of , divided, separated.

260

Conj., when, after, since, seeing that.

261

Adj. neut. nom. sing. of , all, the whole.

262

neut. nom. sing. of , like, resembling.

263

Adv. here, there.

264

Adv. comp. of , very, exceedingly, quite, rightly.

265

, modal Particle used with Verbs to indicate that the action is limited by circumstances or defined by conditions.

266

3rd sing. pres. act. opt. of , shut in, shut up.

267

Pron. neut. acc. sing., itself.

268

pres. mid. inf. of , to be collapsed or enclosed.

P a g e | 28

It is not even divided, since all is alike;

and not something more here or there,

itself being enclosed, may not shut itself in,

and not that which is empty, but everything is full of being.

[25] 272 273 274 275 .276

277 278 279 280 281

282 ,283

284 ' ,285 286 287 .

269

Ep. for .

270

neut. nom. sing. of , full of.

271

neut. gen. sing. pres. act. part. of .

272

neut. nom. sing. of , continuously, contiguous, conjoined.

273

neut. nom./acc. sing., every.

274

neut. nom. sing. pres. act. part. of .

275

neut. dat. sing. pres. act. part. of .

276

3rd sing. pres. act. ind. of , approach, draw near.

277

Partic. but yet, but, however, still, besides, moreover.

278

neut. nom. sing. of , motionless.

279

Adj. neut. gen. pl. of , great, large.

280

neut. dat. pl. of , ends, limits.

281

neut. nom. acc. sing. pres. act. part. of , to fetter, put in chains.

282

neut. nom. sing. of , without leader.

283

neut. nom. sing. of , unceasing, never-ending.

P a g e | 29

For it, everything is contiguous,

for its own being to being draws near.

But of great things, motionless is

in ends fettered, is leaderless, and never-ending,

since birth and death were far away thrown, but true faith pushed.

288 ' 289 290 ' 291 292

[30] 293 294 295 296 297

298 299 , 300 301 ,302

284

Adv. far, far away.

285

3rd pl. aor. pass. ind. of , hurl.

286

3rd sing. aor. act. ind. of , push.

287

fem. nom. sing. of , trust.

288

+ = the same thing.

289

Adj. neut. dat. sing. of , the same, identical.

290

neut. nom. sing. pres. act. part. of , remain, stay, linger, continue.

291

Adj. neut. acc. sing. of , itself.

292

3rd sing. pres. pass. ind. of , lie, be placed.

293

Adv. .

294

neut. nom. sing. of , firmly standing.

295

Adv. of Place, on the spot, here, there; of Time, forthwith, straightway.

296

3rd sing. pres. act. ind. of , remain, wait.

297

fem. nom. sing., strong, powerful, mighty.

298

neut. gen. sing. of , ends, limits.

P a g e | 30

303 304 305

306 ' .307

The same in the same and remaining itself throughout,

and thus placed firmly stands, in the same place remaining,

for in fettering bonds mighty Necessity holds

is itself, on both sides, shut in, wherefore

unfinished is not, being is law,

for it is in need not, but everything left lacking,

not being was.

' .308

[35] 309 , 310 311 ,

299

3rd sing. pres. act. subj.; 3rd pl. pres. act. ind., of , to fetter, put in chains.

300

Pron. neut. acc. sing., itself.

301

Adv. on both sides, apart, in two ways.

302

3rd sing. pres. act. ind. of , shut in, shut up; shut out or keep away from.

303

Conj. , wherefore, because.

304

nom. / acc. sing. of , unfinished, unaccomplished, unfulfilled.

305

fem. nom. sing, fem. acc. pl., law, right.

306

Adj. neut. nom. sing., , be in want of, in need of.

307

3rd sing. imperf. mid. / pass. ind. of , bind, fasten; to lack, miss, stand in need of

308

neut. nom. sing., thought, idea.

P a g e | 31

312 313 <> 314

315 , ' 316

317 318 ' 319 ' ' ,320

321 322 323 ,

[40] 324 ,325 ,

326 327 328 329 .330

309

Prep. + gen., without; away from, far from; except, besides.

310

neut. dat. sing. of , this, that.

311

neut. nom. sing. perf. pass. part. of , to say, speak, report.

312

2nd sing. fut. act. ind. of , find.

313

pres. inf. act. of , think.

314

3rd sing. fut. mid. ind. of .

315

Prep. + gen., outside, before; except, exclusive of.

316

3rd sing. aor. act. ind. of , to bind.

317

neut. acc. sing. of , whole, entire, complete.

318

neut. acc. sing. of , motionless.

319

pres. inf. act. of .

320

3rd sing. fut. mid. ind. of .

321

Adv. as far as, in so far as; how far, how much.

322

3rd pl. aor. mid. ind. of , put aside, leave out of the question.

323

masc. nom. pl. perf. perf. act. part. of , make to believe, convince, persuade, prevail.

324

pres. pass. inf. of

325

pres. pass inf. of , destroy.

326

masc. acc. sing. of , place, region.

327

pres. act. inf. of , change; take a new position; exchange; alternate.

P a g e | 32

And same it is to think, because it is thought.

For it is not without being, in that, being spoken,

you will find, is to think it; for none either is,

or shall be, another thing, except from being,

since Fate bound it and the whole thing motionless to be,

to it is every name, in so far as men leave it out of the question,

having convinced it to be truth, being born and being destroyed,

to be and to be not, and to change place,

and through bodies light to be exchanged.

331 332 ,333 334

,335 336 337 338 ,339

328

Prep. between, through; on account of.

329

masc. acc. sing. of , skin, body.

330

pres. inf. act. of , change, exchange.

331

Part., but, yet, however.

332

2nd sing. aor. act. ind. of , pierce through, pierce, transfix; determine.

333

neut. acc. sing. of , last, utmost.

334

neut. acc. sing. perf. mid. / pass. part. of , bring to an end.

335

Adv. from every side.

336

fem. gen. sing. of , well-rounded.

337

fem. gen. sing. of , ball globe, sphere.

P a g e | 33

340 341 342

[45] 343 344 345 .

But since you through the utmost pierced,

it has been from every side to an end,

a well rounded sphere, like a mass,

equal in every way from the center;

for it is neither that which is greater,

nor that which is smaller,

set by fate in motion, for this or that.

, 346 347

,348 ' 349 350

338

Adj. fem. nom. sing. of , like resembling.

339

masc. dat. sing. of , bulk, mass, size.

340

Adv. from the middle, form the center.

341

Adj. neut. nom. sing., equal in the struggle, well-matched; equal.

342

Adj. neut. nom. sing. comp. of , great, large.

343

Adj. neut. nom. comp. of , little, small, few.

344

345

, Ion. , that which must be; necessity, fate.

346

3rd sing. pres. act. opt. of , stop, cease, cause to cease.

347

pres. mid. pass. inf. of , come to, arrive at, reach.

P a g e | 34

351 ' ,352 353

354 , 355 356 .357

For not is not being, it would itself stop, to reach itself one likeness,

nor is being as it might be, being the more and the less,

since everything is safe from violence,

for they, on every side, the same equally in limits to power.

[50] 358 359 360 361

362 363 364 ' 365 366

348

Adj. , like, common.

349

Conj. as, in such manner as.

350

3rd sing. pres. act. opt. of .

351

Adv. comp. of , very.

352

Adj., neut. nom. comp. of , inferior, weaker.

353

Adj. neut. nom. sing. of , safe from violence, inviolate.

354

Adv. from every side.

355

Adv. together, alike, likewise, equally as, just as.

356

neut. dat pl. of , ends, limits.

357

neut. dat. sing. of , supreme power, authority.

358

Pron. dat. sing. of .

359

1st sing. pres. act. ind. of , stop, cease, cause to cease.

360

Conj. and, both<and.

361

neut. acc. sing., that which is thought, a thought, a purpose, design, resolve; thought, understanding, mind.

362

Prep. + gen., concerning.

P a g e | 35

367 368 369 370 371 .372

With that I end my faithful purpose,

and thoughts about truth,

and from this learn mens opinions,

hearing the order of my words, producing illusion.

373 374 375 376

377 378 379 380

363

fem. gen. sing. of .

364

fem. acc. pl. or fem. gen. sing. of , notion, opinion, judgement.

365

neut. gen. sing. of , this.

366

fem. acc. pl. or fem. gen. sing. of , mortal, human, of mortal mould.

367

2nd sing. pres. imper. act. of , learn, come to know.

368

masc. acc. sing. of , order, arrangement.

369

Adj. neut. gen. pl. of , my, mine.

370

neut. gen. pl. of , word, words; utterance, that which is uttered in words, speech, tale.

371

Adj., neut. nom. / acc. sing. of , producing illusion.

372

masc. nom. sing. pres. act. part. of , hear.

373

fem. acc. pl. of , form, shape, appearance; Lat. forma.

374

3rd pl. aor. mid. ind. of .

fem. acc. pl. of , a means of knowing, a mark, token; organ by which one perceives or knows, intelligence;
thought, judgment, opinion
375

376

pres. inf. act. of , call; name, specify.

377

Adj. fem. acc. sing. of , one.

378

it is necessary.

P a g e | 36

[55] 381 ' 382 383 '384 385

' ,386 387 ,

388 , ' ,389 390 391 ,

' 392 '

' ,393 394 .

For two forms of ways to name were lain down,

of them, one is not necessarythat in which wandering about is

379

neut. dat. sing. of .

380

3rd nom. pl. perf. mid./pass. part. of , to make to wander, lead wandering about

381

Adj. , face to face, opposite; as Adv. in neut., against, over against.

3rd pl. aor. mid. ind. of , separate, put asunder, distinguish; pick out, choose; decide; adjudge, judge, give
judgment; estimate; expound, interpret.
382

383

neut. gen. sing., or neut. nom. / acc. sing. of , bodily frame.

384

neut. acc. pl. of , sign, token, mark.

385

3rd pl. aor. mid. ind. of , put, place.

386

Adj., masc./fem./neut. gen. pl. of , each other, one another, mutually.

387

masc. gen. sing. of , flame, blaze.

388

Adj., masc. acc. sing or neut. nom. / acc. sing. of , mild.

389

Adj. masc. acc. sing. or neut. nom. / acc. sing. of , light in weight; light to bear, easy.

390

Adj., masc. / neut. dat. sing. of .

391

Adv., on every side, in every direction.

392

neut. nom. / acc. sing. of .

393

, unknowing how to, ignorant.

394

, weighty, heavy.

P a g e | 37

and face to face distinguished bodies and signs

were placed apart from one another,

on the one hand, the gentle flaming ethereal fire being,

a mighty weight, for itself is the same in every direction,

but to the other the opposite, not the same;

but there, to itself, the being of ignorant night, and a thick heavy body.

[60] 395 396 ,397

.398

I should tell you, the division of everything has been the like,

how you, at some time, will overcome the opinions of men.

IX.

399 400

401 402 ,

395

masc. acc. sing. of , battle-order; arrangement, or division.

396

neut. nom. / acc. pl. perf. act. part. or masc. acc. sing. perf. act. part. of , be like, resemble; be analogous to.

397

1st sing. pres. act. subj. of , to say, speak, report; promise, engage, betroth.

398

2nd sing. fut. mid. ind. of , be surpassed.

399

Conj. Ep. for , but yet, but, however.

400

, call by name, name.

P a g e | 38

403 404 405 406

,407 408 .

Since, however, everything is named light and night,

at once everything is filled with light and invisible night,

to both equal, since neither is next to not one.

X.

409 ' 410 411 ' 412

413 414 415 416

401

fem. acc. pl. of , their own, their; thine.

402

fem. acc. pl. of , power, strength.

403

Adj., neut. nom. sing. of , full.

404

neut. gen. sing. of , light.

405

fem. gen. sing. of , night.

406

, , invisible, forgotten, obscure, secret, unlooked for; privat. of , distinct, clear, brought to light.

407

fem. gen. pl. of = of both alike.

408

masc. / neut. dat. pl. of , neither of the two.

409

, like, equal, alike.

410

fem. acc. sing. of , Ether, or upper air; high in air, on high.

411

neut. dat. pl. aor. act. part. of , make to grow, produce; beget, engender.

412

masc. dat. sing. of , sky, aether.

413

neut. acc. pl. of , sign, mark, token.

414

Adj., fem. gen. sing. of , clean, fair, clear; physically clean, spotless; pure, genuine.

415

, pure, holy.

P a g e | 39

417 ' 418 419 ,420

421 422 423 424 425

[5] , 426 427 428 429

430 431 432 433 434

'435 436 .437

416

masc. gen. sing. of , the Sun.

417

fem. gen. sing. of , torch.

418

Adj. neut. acc. pl. of , destructive, destroying.

419

Adv., whence.

420

3rd pl. aor. mid. ind. of , spring from.

421

neut. acc. pl. of , work, deed, act. thing.

422

, Cyclops, round eye.

423

2nd sing. fut. mid. ind. of , learn, learn something from a person; inquire about.

424

, + , wandering about.

425

fem. gen. sing. of , moon.

426

fem. acc. pl. of , knowledge.

427

masc. acc. sing. of , heaven.

428

Adv., on both sides, apart, in two ways.

429

neut. nom. / acc. pl. pres. acc. part. or masc. acc. sing. pres. act. part. of , have, hold.

430

Adv., thence.

431

3rd sing. aor. act. ind. of , make to grow, produce.

432

neut. gen. sing. of , any matter of religious awe.

3rd sing. aor. act. ind. of , bind with fetters; 3rd sing. aor. act. ind. of , bind, fasten on; want, want or lack
of a number, be in need of.
433

434

fem. nom. sing., necessity.

435

3rd sing. aor. mid. ind. of , pierce, transfix.

P a g e | 40

And you alike shall learn both the origins of the heavens and,

In the sky, all the signs, and the pure and holy things of the torch of Sun

And whence destructive things arise, and the things of the round faced wandering Moon

And their origins; and you will see both sides holding heaven,

Whence they grew and how necessity with awesome stars transfixed those who attempt.

XI.

438

439 440 ' 441 442

443 ' 444 445 446

.447

436

pres. inf. act. of , have, hold.

437

neut. gen. pl. of , constellation.

438

= Earth and Sun and Moon.

439

masc. nom. sing., common.

440

neut. nom. / acc. sing. of , milk, the milky way.

441

, heavenly, dwelling in heaven.

442

Mt. Olympus

443

Adj. masc. nom. sing., furthest, remotest, extremest, last.

444

neut. gen. pl. of , a constellation.

445

neut. nom. / acc. sing. of , hot.

446

3rd pl. aor. pass. ind. of , set in motion, impel, move; 3rd pl. aor. pass. ind. of , to be moored, lie at anchor.

P a g e | 41

How Earth and Sun and Moon and common Sky, Milky Way and Olympus most remote, and the
burning might of stars set in motion arose;

XII.

448 449 ,450

' , 451 452 453

454 455 456

<> 457 458 459 460

[5]'461 462 463 464 ' 465 466

447

pres. mid. / pass. inf. of .

448

449

3rd pl. aor. mid. inf. of , make full, fill.

450

451

masc. gen. sing. of , flame, blaze.

452

3rd sing. pre. mid./pass. ind. of , let go.

453

= Destiny.

454

Adj. masc. / neut. dat. sing. of , in the middle of.

masc./fem. nom. sing., divinity, divine power; the power controlling the destiny of individuals: hence, ones lot or
fortune or fate; personified as the good or evil genius.
455

456

3rd sing. pres. act. ind. of , steer.

457

Adj. masc. gen. sing. of , abominable, hateful, hated.

458

masc. gen. sing. of , bringing forth, delivery; offspring, young.

459

<><, the mixing, or mingling.

460

3rd sing. pres. act. ind. of , begin.

461

, send, dismiss.

P a g e | 42

467 .468

For the more narrow circles were filled with pure fire

and those around them with night, and among the fire destiny is sent forth,

and in the midst of this Destiny everywhere steers,

for everywhere the mingling begins of hated offspring sends both

a female thing to mix with male things, and again the opposite thing,

a male thing to mix with a female thing.

XIII.

469 470 471 .

First of all Gods created was erotic Love.

XIV.

462

neut. dat. sing. of , male thing.

463

Adj. neut. acc. sing. of , female.

464

dual pres. opt. , mix.

465

Adj. neut. acc. sing. of , opposite.

466

Adv. back, back again; again, moreover.

467

neut. acc. sing. of , male.

468

fem. dat. sing. of , the female sex, or thing.

469

Adj. masc. acc. sing. of , first of all, foremost.

470

masc. acc. sing. of , erotic love.

471

3rd sing. aor. mid. ind. of , devise, perpetrate, contrive.

P a g e | 43

472 473 474 .475

A strange evening light roams the Earth over.

XV.

476 477 478 .479

Forever casting a timid glance at the glow of the Sun.

XVA.

480 481

A boundary to water to the Earth promised.

XVI.

482 483 ,484

472

+ = evening light.

473

neut. nom. sing. pres. pass. part. of , wander, rove, roam.

474

Adj. neut. nom. of , of or belonging to another; foreign, strange.

475

neut. nom. sing. of , light.

476

Adv. of , ever, always; eternity.

477

fem. nom. sing. pres. act. part. of , look cautiously or timidly.

478

fem. acc. pl. of , beam, gleam, glow.

479

masc. gen. sing. of , the Sun.

480

gen. of + = boundary of water.

481

aor. inf. act. of , speak, say; promise, offer.

482

fem. acc. sing. of , a mixing, blending, compounding.

P a g e | 44

485 486 487 488

489 490 491 492

493 494 495 .496

So that each has a mix of fruitless wandering

for them to men the mind is thus disposed;

for the same is the very one who is wise of the fruitless character

of men both to each and every one, for it is all perception.

XVII.

483

masc. gen. pl. of , fruitless, idle, unrewarded.

484

Adj. masc. gen. pl. of , much wandering, far-roving.

485

Adv. thus

486

masc. nom. sing.

487

masc. dat. pl. of .

3rd sing. pres. mid./pass. ind. of , come and stand by; cause to stand, place beside; stand beside or near; be
near at hand; come to the side of another; bring to ones side, bring over by force, bring to terms; dispose for ones own
views or purposes.
488

3rd sing. pres. act. ind. of , have living thoughts, live; have understanding, be wise, prudent; understanding; to
have certain thoughts for or towards; comprehend.
489

490

fem. gen. pl. of of , fruitless, idle, unrewarded.

491

fem. nom. sing. or fem. acc. pl., quality, property; nature, character.

492

masc. dat. pl. of .

493

Adj. masc. dat. pl. of , every.

494

Adj. masc. dat. sing. of .

495

neut. nom. sing. of , full.

496

neut. nom. sing. of , that which is perceived, perception, thought.

P a g e | 45

497 , 498 .

Boys on the right, and girls on the left

XVIII.

Femina virque simul499 Veneris500 cum germina501 miscent,502

venis503 informans504 diverso ex sanguine virtus505

temperiem506 servans507 bene condita508 corpora fingit.509

nam si virtutes510 permixto511 semine512 pugnent513

497

498

499

Adv. at the same time, together, at once, simultaneously.

500

fem. gen. sing. of Venus, loveliness, attractiveness, beauty, grace, elegance, charm; Goddess of Love.

501

neut. acc. pl. of germen, a sprig, offshoot, sprout, bud; off-spring.

502

3rd pl. pres. act. ind. of misceo, to mix, mingle, intermingle, blend.

503

fem. abl. pl. of vena, blood vessel, vein

504

505

fem. nom. sing., manliness, manhood, strength, vigor, bravery, courage, excellence.

506

fem. acc. sing. of temperies, a due mingling, proper mixture, tempering, temperature, temper.

masc. nom. sing. pres. act. part. of servo, to make safe, save, keep unharmed, preserve, guard, keep, protect, deliver,
rescue.
507

508

neut. nom./acc. pl. or fem. nom./abl. sing. of condo, to put together, make by joining, found, establish, build, settle.

509

3rd sing. pres. act. ind. of fingo, to touch, handle.

510

fem. nom. pl. of virtus.

511

neut. abl. sing. perf. pass. part. of permisceo, to mix together, mix thoroughly, commingle, intermingle.

512

neut. abl. sing. of semen, seed.

P a g e | 46

nec faciant514 unam515 permixto516 in corpore, dirae517

nascentem518 gemino vexabunt519 semine520 sexum.521

At once women and men out of love with off-spring mix

from veins diverse forms from diverse blood tempers virtue,

making safe a well founded body;

now if the virtues have been mixed with seed in one body contend,

they shall be vexed by dreadful off-spring by the seed of the sex.

XIX.

522 523 524 525

513

3rd pl. pres. subj. act. of pugno, to fight, combat, give battle, engage, contend.

514

3rd pl. pres. subj. act. of facio, to make, construct, fashion, frame, build, erect, produce, compose.

515

Adj. fem. acc. sing. of unus, one.

516

neut. dat./abl. sing. perf. pass. part. of permisceo, to mix together, mix thoroughly, commingle, intermingle.

517

fem. nom. pl. of Dirae, the Furies; or Adj. of dirus, ill - omened, ominous, boding, portentous, fearful, awful, dread.

518

masc. sing. pres. act. part. of nascor, to be born, begin life, be produced, proceed, be begotten.

519

520

neut. abl. sing. of semen, seed.

521

masc. gen. pl. or masc. acc. sing. of sexus, sex.

522

neut. nom. / acc. sing. aor. act. part. of , think, opine, suppose, imagine.

523

3rd sing. aor. act. ind. of , make to grow, produce.

524

Adv., now.

525

3rd pl. pres. act. ind. of .

P a g e | 47

'526 527 528

' '529 '530 531 .532

So, according to your opinion, this was made and now is

And afterwards from this achieves completion

And to these men gave names to distinguish each one

526

527

neut. nom. / acc. pl. aor. pass. part. or masc. acc. sing. aor. pass. part. of , make big; thicken or congeal a liquid,
curdle; of slaves, cattle, dogs and the like, rear and keep; maintain, support; bring up, rear, educate.
528

529

neut. nom. / acc. sing. of , name.

3rd pl. aor. mid. ind. of , put, put down, offer as a prize; lay down from oneself, put off, lay aside; put an
end to, settle;
530

531

neut. nom./acc. sing. of , any distinguishing mark, a device

532

Adj. masc./neut. dat. sing. of , each, each one.

P a g e | 48

OPERAS CITATAS
Liddell, Henry George and Robert Scott, An Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon, Oxford: Oxford
University Press.

Parmenides, On Nature, Diels Hermann Alexander with English translation by John Burnet
(1892): Philoctetes: http://philoctetes.free.fr/parmenides.htm

Perseus Digital Library Project, Ed. Gregory R. Crane, Tufts University: Somerville, MA: 2007.
URL: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu

Smyth, Herbert Weir, Greek Grammar, revised by Gordon M. Lessing, Cambridge,

Massachusetts: Harvard University Press: 1984.

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